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I've got a ton of LA content coming up for you guys, but let's get through all the overdue New York City posts that have been waiting on my drafts list. We all know how much I love sweaters, the bigger and cozier, the better. While the city still makes up its mind, I'm still toggling between my Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer pieces. The best way to dress up a simple sweater and jeans combo is with a bag that makes a statement, and boy am I loving the way my Gucci looks when I'm wandering around the city. Shop this look below!

Greetings from the west coast! I'm currently on a trip to LA with my girlfriends @allyshayung and @vernicet so my feed has a lot more color than usual! It's been nice getting out of New York City for a little bit, especially to Los Angeles since I haven't been here since 2009. A lot has definitely changed since then but I'm so excited to explore the city and enjoy some warmer weather. Follow along on Instagram and Snapchat as we eat, shop, shoot, and explore LA.

Being a blogger or influencer doesn't necessarily mean a huge group of friends. In fact, I have very few that I trust completely, only a handful of people that I like to text every day or every other day, just a couple that I enjoy spending my days with. From a very young age, I was convinced that having more friends, meant you were happier, but that's not always the case. Over the years, I've learned to love moments of being alone and I've appreciated the quality of my friendships rather than the quantity of them. Yes, I love when I'm surrounded by the people that I love, I love a good group of friends hanging out, going to a party, but I also love having some time to myself.

Most days, it's just me. I'll wake up, get ready, and hang out in a coffee shop in the city. I'll wander around, take photographs, explore, etc. This is not because I think I'm too good to spend time with anyone. This is not about purposely isolating myself because of some self-righteous mentality. I grew up a very shy girl and although I've been able to break out of that shell, meeting new people constantly, I just love having my solo days every now and then.

It's refreshing to get that break of quietness after being out in such a loud and busy city. I don't mind wandering around Manhattan without anyone else. I'm okay going to the gym without a "gym buddy." I'm okay with eating at a restaurant by myself because I enjoy my own company. Yes, I do love hanging out with my boyfriend, my best friends, my family, etc. I just think it's very important to love the relationship you have with yourself first. I do my best thinking when I'm alone. I come up with my best ideas when it's just me. Do you enjoy being by yourself? What do you like to do?

Canada Goose Parka | Aritzia Sweater | Ugg Boots | VS Leggings

Captured by: Marco P.

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New York City always feels like it's been in an everlasting winter. By mid-February, I'm ready to get out of the city and go someplace sunnier and warmer. This time of the year means two things: really cold weather and New York Fashion Week. It's incredible how the fashion industry has allowed influencers to play such a huge role around this time of the year, for designers and brands to be genuinely interested in how we see them and how we choose to share them through our social media platforms. I'm so thankful and happy to be a part of it, but I must admit, it's not always a perfect and glamorous time of the year, especially in the winter. I wanted to share my perspective of New York Fashion Week, both the good and the bad.

In no way is this post meant to dissuade or make anyone who lives for NYFW feel bad, it's to share with my readers what this time of the year has me feeling and thinking. Let's begin with the cons and then I'll be sharing with you all the good stuff that I love.

CONS

1. It's awful outside. This time of the year means snow, and lots of it in NYC. Living outside of Manhattan and getting to the city in a blizzard just isn't for me. If it's bad out, snow or heavy rain, I'm most likely staying home and binge-watching my TV shows. September NYFW is definitely more my speed and to be honest, the bipolar NYC weather had me sick for most of it.

2. The outfits that just don't make sense.Yes, they're showing Spring and Summer collections right now, but that doesn't mean you have to dress like it's not still winter out there. Winter came in full force, starting off Day 1 with a blizzard. My favorite looks from people who attend NYFW are those who dress for the weather but still look amazing. I love seeing people elevate their parkas and winter boots. Anyone who is taking baby steps in their high-heels in the snow/ice and trying to hop over the NYC slush, I just shake my head.

3. Not all the events are for me. The industry can be very cliquey. I know the people that I love to be around and sometimes, getting together at a restaurant laughing and catching up is just so much better than a NYFW party with groups who are just all about showing off the fact that they're at a party together. Yes, to an extent, it's what "bloggers" do but sometimes there are those that give off that "you can't sit with us" vibe and it's pretty hard to miss. I've felt left out at events before and I know I'm not immune to it even today. It's easy to feel like you just don't belong somewhere, but that's okay. You just need to know when to take yourself out of that kind of situation and surround yourself with the people you know you'll have a great time with.

4. There's so much pressure. What are you wearing? Who are you wearing? Is it designer? Is it new? Is it on trend? Don't feel pressured to go out and buy a ton of new things to wear or feel like you have to wear high end brands to events and shows. Yes, NYFW is about the fashion, but don't feel pressured to max out a credit card just because you need something different to wear to every show. Wear something you love, something that works for you, something that makes sense, and something that shows off your personal style. Don't try to fit into the mold that you think the industry expects of you. You were invited for a reason, what you've been doing got you here, so keep it up.

5. I'm not about the competition. In any industry, there's a level of competitiveness. I know the events that I want to go to, the shows I want to attend with friends, the people I want to hang out with, etc. Don't feel like you have to go to anything and everything because no one is counting who has been to the most shows and got invited to the best parties. Instagram becomes so over-saturated with these things, but once it's over, people carry on with their daily routine.

PROS

1. Seeing and meeting friends from all over. NYFW is the time of the year where people from all over get together to share their love and appreciation for fashion. It's a great opportunity to meet up with friends and people you follow and may not have ever met before. Online friends become genuine real life friends, people that actually want to get to know you for who you are and can joke around with. Not everything is about Instagram,it becomes a real life friendship that goes beyond social media.

2. Getting inspired.Whether you saw it on the runway in person, or you saw it online via slideshow, you get inspired by what designers are putting out there, by what people are wearing to the show. It's the time of the year to be inspired by creatives who put their heart and soul into a collection, an outfit, etc. I love seeing ways I can make existing pieces in my wardrobe work just by switching up what I pair things with.

3. You'll attend events that actually are for you. As I mentioned before, not all the events are for me. But then there are the events that do work, you have an amazing time, and you end up meeting some amazing people that turn into life-long friends. When you find yourself in an environment where you actually feel inspired by the people that surround you, that's where you're meant to be.

4. Working with brands and falling in love with them. It's a great time to discover new brands, designers, and retailers. I've loved being able to work with companies that genuinely want to build a relationship with influencers/bloggers that produce beautiful quality products. NYFW comes with the opportunity to work with new brands that end up becoming your new favorites.

5. It's absolutely exciting. As exhausting and as draining as the week can be, there's something about the entire environment that is just absolutely thrilling and exciting. There's so much happening that you can't help but feel special to be a part of it. I remember two years ago, getting my first invite to a fashion show, my first invite to a NYFW event and feeling so good about the work that I've created and that it got to the point where I was being recognized by the community.

Over the years, social media has become such a great platform to connect with people all over the world. To be able to instantly share your experience with NYFW is an incredible thing. And although there's some downside to it, everything has their cons, it's an amazing experience and you grow and learn so much from it every season. Now that it's over, I'm ready to escape to some warmer weather.

I told myself that I'd travel a lot more this year, and I'm doing just that with Away. As a content creator, travel is ideal. It allows you to break the patten, go someplace different, meet new people, try new things. With some upcoming trips, both domestic and international, I was in need of a suitcase that could do more than just carry all my belongings for me.

I'm in love with my set from Away Travel, and in case you couldn't already tell from the photos, the carry-on has the ability to charge your phone while you're waiting. Knowing me, constantly on my phone answering e-mails, snapping, and editing, drained batteries just aren't an option for me. Pictured here is the medium size luggage for check in (my preference because it's easy for me to go over the weight limit with larger suitcases) and the smaller sized carry-on.

What I Love About My Away Suitcases

Lightweight + Sleek Designs

Durable Material/Outer Shell

Hinomoto Wheels

TSA Approved Lock

USB Charger for Carry-On Sizes (Both)

The sleek and modern design is perfect for my minimalist style and I'm so excited to travel and share some packing tips with you guys very soon! To find out more about these lightweight travel companions, check out Away here.

Although I live in New York City, it's nice to be able to call a NYC hotel home for a weekend. To celebrate turning 26, I was hosted by The KnickerbockerHotel, a beautiful modern property in Times Square. Upon check in, I immediately fell in love with the warmth and hospitality of the staff, the decor of the lobby, and then even more-so when I got to my hotel room. With a "Premiere City Room" it was a comfortable space to unwind and admire the bustling midtown streets down below from a different view.

I was never one that wanted to spend much time in the Times Square area, but if it's to spend time at this beautiful property, you can count me in. I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else in this area. To check out the rest of the property and book your stay, check out their website here. This Luxury 5-Star Property is a midtown gem, perfectly situated in the heart of everything that this city has to offer.

I also celebrated a birthday get-together at their rooftop lounge and you can find more details on that in a previous blogpost here.